Chamber checking in the dark.

[HopetonBrown]

Shot my first outlaw USPSA-style nighttime match this year, and was wondering what everyone's preferred method of tactile chamber checking was?

[hossb7]

Some form of this:

[Totem Polar]

I was taught to overhand on the slide with my support hand (on the rear serrations behind the port) and simultaneously use the pinky on the same hand to feel the chamber/into the ejection port. That said, the last class I took was outdoors in a rural area (very dark) and contained a low-light block; since I was running a Glock 17, I just used a version of the armorer's grip and the first momentary stop (10L or thereabouts) on my flashlight to do a quick visual before each training string. I know that the extractor is supposed to give me the tactile indicator, but I find that I don't trust it when it's cold out or I'm tired, etc.

I'm open to new ideas, though.

[ST911]

Support side overhand with my pinky, or firing hand armorer's grip with support side first finger.

[ST911]

Perhaps I should know this, but I don't... What's an armorer's grip?

Disassembly grip for Glocks. Web of the hand on the backstrap, fingers up and over the slide to draw it back.

[Wheeler]

I open the cylinder and run my thumb over the rims. ;-)

[Totem Polar]

^^^We have a winner...

[1slow]

Slingshot offhand grip on slide. Use tip of offhand trigger finger to check for chamber loaded.
Got this from Paul Gomez, works well for me.
This keeps shooting hand in shooting grip position.

[shootist26]

Slingshot offhand grip on slide. Use tip of offhand trigger finger to check for chamber loaded.
Got this from Paul Gomez, works well for me.
This keeps shooting hand in shooting grip position.

Same here. Works well for my purposes

Grasp pistol in strong hand
Cock hammer back
Slingshot grip with my thumb and middle finger of weak hand
Pull slide back slightly and use tip of index finger of weak hand to feel the round
Return slide to battery

[Surf]

Some form of this:

Because it can lead to bad things, we would like to avoid press checking, locking slides to the rear, or disassembly of weapons using this manner of grip. I know a lot of people do it but it is not a good method to advocate, especially to someone who may be new to these concepts.